In the past seven Olympic Games, Cuba, an island nation with a population of 11 million people, has dominated the sport of boxing: 63 medals, 32 of them gold. Boxing has held a special place of honor in Cuban society since the revolution, not least because Castro has deployed the nation’s athletes as an unconventional tool of foreign and domestic policy. Sport propels the nation onto the world stage – allowing it to break out of economic and political isolation into a very public and superficially apolitical arena. While the country has never had the military might to challenge the U.S., it has found a way to compete inside the ropes of the boxing ring. Now, as Castro’s faltering health has thrown the future into question, Cuba’s athletes, as well as the rest its citizens will face a crucial time of transition. While the shift of power from Fidel to his brother Raul seems to have gone smoothly, there are some indications that changes in economic policy may lie on the horizon.

About the Film

WIDE ANGLE gains intimate access to the Havana Boxing Academy on the outskirts of Cuba’s capital. There, from the tender age of nine, boys hand-picked as future Olympians are molded into soldiers of the ring. They live and train at the academy with a single purpose: to bring home Olympic gold. Victory Is Your Duty follows the boys’ dramatic path over eight months of training, schooling and boarding as they build up to the biggest event of their lives — the annual National Boxing Championships.

For the summer 2009 re-broadcast, WIDE ANGLE host Aaron Brown travels to Miami, Florida, to tell the story of what happens when graduates of Havana’s boxing academies grow up – and defect to the United States. The boxers tell of the triumphs and obstacles they faced in Cuba and continue to face as they pursue a professional career in the rough-and-tumble world of American boxing.

This episode of Wide Angle is the precursor to the theatrical film Sons of Cuba.

In the footsteps of the Soviet Union’s sport successes, Castro laid down policies that in time produced extraordinary results. A carefully designed program was implemented to increase mass participation in sports and create healthier living standards. With a boxing elite academy in each of its fourteen provinces, every Cuban child is guaranteed access to the sport. By identifying talent at a young age, and nurturing it through methodical practice, Cuban coaches can then push their young citizens to Olympic greatness.

Update: The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games were the first time since 1968 that Cuba did not win a gold medal in boxing, though it did win four silver and four bronze medals.

Sources: International Olympic Committee; Newsweek; International Boxing Hall of Fame

Long-distance running has evolved a great deal since the fifth century B.C.E. Today the sport involves everything from an easy 3K run to a 150-mile ultra-marathon. One particularly appealing aspect of competitive running is that practice is self-directed. The runner can set his or her own training schedule. Another attractive feature of the sport is that success is not measured solely by winning or losing; the late Fred Lebow, former president of New York Road Runners explained: “In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” Perhaps for this reason or just the love of free-movement, and a sense of mission accomplished, long-distance racing can be found across the globe and in a wide variety of climates and terrains.

Gear:

Pheidippides may have completed the world’s first marathon barefoot, but most modern runners rely on sneakers. Proper footwear is one of the most important pieces of gear in a long-distance runner’s world. Short distance runners want very light, slipper-like sneakers, but marathoners and ultra-marathoners need to protect themselves from the constant pounding they’ll endure along the course. Proper running shoes should be springy with plenty of cushioning on the inside and adequate arch and ankle support. Depending on the type of race, this might be anything from a standard running shoe to a lightweight hiking boot. Many runners also wear pedometers or speedometers that track miles traveled and speed. Some stage (multiple-day) ultra-marathoners must carry camping gear, so lightweight outdoor equipment is key.

Training:
To begin and, more importantly, to finish a race, a runner must pace him- or herself by adhering to pre-determined time and distance goals. Determining and pursuing these goals requires months of training. Most standard-distance and ultra-marathoners have training schedules that alternate between short (3-4 miles) and long (7-15 miles) runs. Depending on the type of race, runners may also need to incorporate terrain in their regimens, such as running up and down hills. Some competitors hire running coaches who do everything from designing training calendars to creating proper diets for their clients.

George C. Wortley, MD

George C. Wortley, MD, is a family physician with added qualifications in sports medicine. He is a faculty member for the Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and a member of the Wilderness Medical Society. In addition to his volunteer work with the Sahara Marathon, he is involved with medical work with the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico.

In February of 2002 I completed my first Sahara Marathon. While the event is fresh in my mind, I want to write down my thoughts and suggestions for those considering this event in the future. Let me start by saying that I am not a competitive runner. I am a recreational trail runner but have finished two JFK 50 Milers and several of David Horton’s 50K trail runs. Twice a month I will do a 20 to 25 mile-long slow run on the Appalachian Trail. Most trail runners have the physical capacity to finish the Sahara Marathon.

Why run the Sahara Marathon?

Everyone has his or her own reasons for doing this race. Some are purely focused on the race and the competition. Others come for the opportunity to experience the Great Sahara Desert. Others go to experience the culture of the Sahrawi people who have been living in the refugee camps for the past 26 years after Morocco invaded and occupied Western Sahara. I went to experience the Sahara and its people.

Where and when is the race?

The race is held in the Western Sahara refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. This is located in western Algeria near Morocco, Western Sahara, and Mauritania. The starting line is in the Semara Camp, and the finish is in Laayoune. It is held in late February. This year was the second running for the event. Approximately 320 runners from around the world traveled to the camps for this year’s Sahara Marathon. For those not up for a marathon there is a half marathon, 10K, and 5K races. All finish at Laayoune (though the direction of the race was reversed in 2003.)

How do I get there?

There are Sahara Marathon race organizations in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United States. These groups each charter a flight to and from Tindouf, Algeria. Due to the very small number of U.S.A. runners, our group met in Lisbon, Portugal, and traveled with the Portuguese group. Tindouf, Algeria, is a military airfield with limited commercial air service. At the airport we were met by trucks and buses and driven to the Western Sahara refugee camps approximately one hour away.

What about accommodations in the refugee camps?

Runners stay with the refugee families. They take groups of three to six runners into their homes, which consist of a tent or mud hut. We were provided a foam pad and blanket. You do not need to bring a tent or sleeping bag. The family provides breakfast (bread, jam, butter, coffee, and tea) each morning. The National Union of Sahrawi Women provides group meals for lunch and dinner in the community hall, which seats up to 500 people. Vegetables, fruit, bread, and meat (goat and camel) were the usual fare. Pasta was served the night before the marathon. I was pleasantly surprised by the food but those nervous about eating camel may want to bring some something else to eat. Bring your own snacks and supplements.

Race organizers purchased a large amount of bottled water for the runners to use in the camps and during the race. Bathrooms consist of latrines with a small hole in the floor. There are no showers. You can pour a cup of water over your head if you need to bathe. There are no hotels, no restaurants, no electricity, and no running water. This is a refugee camp, not a resort. But the people are very friendly and welcoming. None of us will forget the daily “tea rituals” with our host family. I must say that staying with the families was the most interesting and rewarding part of the trip. Look at it as an adventure rather than a hardship. We get to fly back to Europe after the race. The Sahrawi do not have that option.

A few words on language. Arabic is the native language but most also speak Spanish. Western Sahara was a Spanish colony for hundreds of years. A few speak some English. I spoke only English and had no problems but I want to learn some basic Spanish for my return.

As a part of the travel costs, each runner is charged $100 for the accommodations in the camps. This covers the cost of food, water, and transportation in the camps. Some of this goes directly to the host family. Where else can you get room and board for four days for only $100? What a bargain! Once you get to the camps you do not need any money. We were told not to give any extra money to our host family. Do bring a small gift for your host family however. I brought several Mini Mag flashlights with extra batteries. Others brought candle lanterns, household items, and candy for the children. Bulk loose tea would also be nice because they drink a lot of tea. Do not bring any alcohol to the camps. Women should dress modestly while in the camps. Please respect their religion and traditions. There is a small shop, which sold local crafts so bring some money if you want souvenirs.

Do things run on time?

While there is a printed timetable, I would consider it as approximate times for meals, tours, press conferences, etc. The race did start exactly at 9:00 a.m. as planned. The sun rises at 8:00 a.m. I would have liked an earlier start to the run but now I realize that nothing happens before sunrise in a city without lights or electricity. Do not focus on your watch. Enjoy the adventure!

What is the weather like?

Nights are cool in the desert. Down to the 30 degree Fahrenheit range. Usual daytime highs in February are the mid 70s. But we were in a hot spell during race week. Race day the midday temperature was in the low 90s. The sun, and its reflection off the sand, is very intense. Bring lots of sunscreen and use it. Wrap around sunglasses are needed to keep the sun and sand out of your eyes. This year there was little wind. The year prior it was very windy.

What is the race course like?

The course is a measured 26.2-mile marathon. Most of the race is on sand. There are about 5K of pavement. The sand is hard packed in places and very loose in other places with gently rolling hills. Following the course as a little difficult at times. Rock cairns or bags of sand with plastic streamers tied to them marked the course. There were several places where no markers were visible. Usually I just followed the footprints in the sand and I never got off course. While there were water stations every 2.5K, several of these aid stations had run out of water by the time those of us in the back of the pack arrived. I carried a three-liter CamelBak and filled it when I could. Those running without a water bottle or CamelBak could get into trouble. I drank more than 11 liters race day. I would highly recommend you bring your CamelBak unless you plan to run this race very fast at the front of the pack. Also bring some carbohydrates. None are provided at the aid stations.

Remember that the Sahrawi put on this race. Their expectations for course marking and aid stations are different than most Western road marathons you may have participated in. Look upon this as an adventure run and plan accordingly.

As you cross the finish line they put the medal around your neck. There was food at the finish line but little was left by the time I arrived. They do transport your “runners bag” to the finish. Have a towel, change of clothes, and some food in it. After the race we boarded trucks for a very rough 90-minute ride back to Semara camp. Do not attempt this ride with a full bladder.

What was your overall impression of the event?

The expanse and solitude of the great Sahara Desert is truly inspiring. This is a wilderness trail run! Even more memorable was the hospitality and spirit of the Sahrawi host families. I now have an understanding and appreciation for their culture. How these people have endured 26 years of exile in the Sahara Desert with such spirit and dignity is beyond my comprehension.